20 Inspirational Quotes About Photography by Great Artists

Have you ever seen a photograph that left you breathless? Completely without words? For me, it was one of Ansel Adams’ landscapes. I actually don’t remember the image, but I do recall the overwhelming impact that such extraordinary print had on me when I was in front of it. It was the closest to the Stendhal syndrome I’ve ever been. Much later, I read a quote on photography, that said ”good photos are like good jokes – if you have to explain it, it just isn’t that good”, and for this image in particular, it was absolutely true. Although words cannot – and should not – explain photographs, it is always good to hear what certain legendary photographers think about the magnificent medium that is photography, and the very act of immortalising moments of our lives. With this in mind, we’ve put together 20 inspirational quotesonphotography, which offer us an insight into how a photographic image comes to life, and what it means to its author.

Scroll down for inspirational quotes on photography by famous artists and photographers.

Editors’ Tip:On Photography

If you’re a fan of wise words about your favourite medium, make sure you check out this spectacular book, written by American writer, filmmaker, teacher and political activist Susan Sontag. One of the most highly regarded books of its kind, On Photography first appeared in 1977 and is described by its author as “a progress of essays about the meaning and career of photographs.” It begins with the famous “In Plato’s Cave” essay, then offers five other prose meditations on this topic, and concludes with a fascinating and far-reaching “Brief Anthology of Quotations.” It provides some insightful views on this kind of image-making through thoughts that are still relevant for photographers and collectors interested in the medium today, and it is an absolute must-have among the essays on art written by Susan Sontag.

Altering Life by Holding it Still

“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.”